Andrew Forrest’s bankrolled World Series Rugby set for expansion

Western Force in big loss

VideoThe Western Force came up against the best in the business, losing 44-8 against the Crusaders.

Western Force could battle as many as seven teams for a $1 million purse in an expanded World Series Rugby competition next year.

Mining magnate Andrew Forrest has already caused the biggest shake-up in Australian rugby since it turned professional 23 years ago by bankrolling WSR and the Force.

Initially designed to keep the Force afloat after they were axed from Super Rugby last year, WSR has established a foothold.

Forrest is getting ready to roll out a new five-year plan after the Force finish their seven-exhibition game series. Two of the new sides are believed to come from Japan.

Former Force captain Matt Hodgson, now the club’s head of elite performance, has just returned from talks with high-profile Japanese clubs.

One of the leading contenders will be the Robbie Deans-coached Panasonic Wild Knights, who the Force play at nib Stadium on August 17.

It is hoped one team will play out of New Zealand and other options include sides based in Fiji, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Camera IconNow head of elite performance at the Western Force Matt Hodgson with Andrew Forrest when the ARU upheld the decision to cut the Western Force from the Super Rugby competition.Picture: Nic Ellis

Clubs could be owned by companies, individuals, national unions or current management and will not be tied to a salary cap for their 30-man squads.

Twelve parties have already expressed interest about securing an initial five-year licence and at least two more teams may be added within five years.

The competition would be played between March and June next year over a 14-week home-and-away season.

The top four sides would then go into a three-week sudden- death finals series.

Discussions are also being held with broadcasters throughout the regions where games will be played.

A WSR spokesman said the 2019 competition “remains a work in progress” but announcements could begin within the next few weeks.

The tournament would need a tick of approval from Rugby Australia before being put to international governing body World Rugby for ratification.

However, WSR shapes as a vehicle to grow the game in Asia and the Pacific Islands, regions that could become strongholds for the sport.

World Rugby is likely to take a dim view if RA did not work with WSR, but it is understood the relationship between Forrest and the national body has improved slightly since the initial fallout over the axing of the Force, who finished 15th, 16th and 12th in their final three seasons of Super Rugby.

They didn’t qualify for finals in any of their 12 seasons.

WSR has morphed from Forest’s original plan for a six-team Indo Pacific Rugby Championship and will be run by an independent board with Forrest as chairman. There will be a commission of clubs.